The location of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is still unclear, with rumors circulating about his potential return to Port Harcourt. Arise Television correspondent in the state, Friday Olokor, reported during the Morning Show that despite ongoing political tensions, the situation in Rivers remains calm.
DAILY POST had previously reported that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, officially handed over to the reinstated Governor Sim Fubara. In his final address to the public, Ibas urged the people of Rivers to support Fubara as he resumes his role as governor.
It’s important to recall that President Bola Tinubu had suspended Fubara six months ago and declared a state of emergency in Rivers. However, the emergency rule was lifted on Wednesday, and Fubara was reinstated.
Olokor provided further insight, mentioning that the governor’s absence has created a sense of uncertainty and a leadership vacuum, with the people anxiously awaiting clarity. He also highlighted that members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is currently divided, are holding separate meetings to continue their legislative work.
The political rifts, Olokor noted, have exacerbated the difficulties faced by the residents, who continue to bear the consequences of the ongoing crisis. There are hopes that the two factions within the Assembly will work toward reconciliation to prevent the recurrence of past political conflicts in the state.
He said: “As expected, the atmosphere in Port Harcourt is currently calm. There are no issues, even though the governor’s whereabouts are still unknown, and rumors suggest he might return today. Rivers State is often seen as a hotspot of political conflict, but right now, everything seems peaceful.
“While there is a leadership vacuum due to the governor’s absence, the people of Rivers are waiting for clarity, as no one knows where the governor is or when he’ll return. Currently, the sole administrator and other authorities are waiting to see what happens next. It’s still uncertain when the governor will be back and how the handover process will unfold.
“Any information at this point would be pure speculation. The key point is that the state is experiencing a leadership gap, which has affected the functioning of the Assembly. The situation is tough for the people, as they are bearing the brunt of this crisis.
“The members of the House of Assembly are understood to be meeting separately, with the 20 members from the APC and the remaining three members conducting their meetings independently. Despite the factions, there’s a belief that they need to work together to restore legislative operations.
“Ultimately, despite the divisions, there’s hope that the factions will unite to overcome their differences for the sake of the state’s progress. The people of Rivers have already suffered enough, and the desire is to prevent past mistakes from repeating.”
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